NBC presented "East Asians: changing mainstream America"

A special presentation "East Asians: changing mainstream America" was aired in NBC on August
25, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Eastern time. Reported by Ti-hua Chang, the one-hour presentation
dealt with struggle for power, racial discrimination, population, Manhattan Chinatown,
entertainment, religion, and fashion. One of every 20 people in Manhattan is Asian. Chinatown's
economy in Manhattan dumped after September 11. People's income dropped , some to zero.
Restaurants were down 20 percent. Most garment factories were closed. Judy Lie said her Jewry
business was down 30 percent, primarily due to prohibited parking on street. Some eight people
live in a 2-bedroom apartment. Many politicians visited Chinatown after September 11, but no
solution to problems. One of 100 residents in Chinatown is registered voter.

According to 2000 census there are 1 million Asians living in Manhattan. Chinese Americans
concentrated in Chinatown, Flushing and Brooklyn. Said Jack Tchen, a historian at New York
University, since the adoption of 1882 Exclusion Act practically no Chinese immigration until
1965 Immigration Reform Law which repealed the racial quote. John Liu, the newly elected
Council Member of New York City from Queens where 23 percent are Chinese, pointed out
problems facing many Asians are not known outside the Asian community. Problems, such as
health care, minimum wage, resident rights, have to be made known for the government to tackle
with. The Asian American Legal Defense Fund has published a pamphlet, "101 Ways to Stay in
U.S." The Fund has fought for justice and equality on behalf of Asians including bi-lingual street
signs.